Grants to make public facilities more accessible for people with disability

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Published on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 15:46

Melissa Parke, the Federal Member for Fremantle, is encouraging councils in the Fremantle electorate to apply for grants in February under a new Australian Government initiative to make their communities more accessible for people with disability. The Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, said grants of up to $100,000 are now open to local councils under the Accessible Communities program, a $5 million Gillard Labor Government election commitment.

"The Accessible Communities grants are available to support local governments in the Fremantle electorate to make improvements to buildings and public spaces so people with disability, their families, friends and carers can participate fully in their community," Ms Parke said.

"The Accessible Communities program delivers on a Gillard Government election commitment and is part of an $11 million accessibility package to support the Australian Government's National Disability Strategy," Ms Parke said.

"I look forward to supporting some innovative applications from local governments in the Fremantle electorate."

The small infrastructure grants, which are open to individual councils or consortia of councils, are to be used to improve the accessibility of public buildings and facilities for people with disability.

This includes improvements such as access ramps, lifts, hoists, and accessible public toilets to community infrastructure including playgrounds, swimming pools, libraries and town halls.

The Strategy will set a 10-year reform plan for all governments to address the barriers faced by Australians with disability and encourage greater social inclusion.

Applications close on 25 February 2011. The grants must be matched by applicants with an equal or greater amount of funding.